What program is used to create the topo images in guidebooks? IE, bouldering maps in a book like the Squamish Bouldering guide, the lines of routes on actual photos, and the detailed, straight lined big wall topos with little icons and etc? I did a search for this but couldn't find what I was looking for. Do people generally just use photo shop? Anything free out there that works? I'm just doing a small bouldering guide, but my penmanship is too messy to do it by hand. Thanks!

What program is used to create the topo images in guidebooks? IE, bouldering maps in a book like the Squamish Bouldering guide, the lines of routes on actual photos, and the detailed, straight lined big wall topos with little icons and etc? I did a search for this but couldn't find what I was looking for. Do people generally just use photo shop? Anything free out there that works? I'm just doing a small bouldering guide, but my penmanship is too messy to do it by hand. Thanks!

The last time the author did anything with it was four years ago, and the updating routine returns an error, but the program itself is still functional and easy to use. A bit basic for complicated applications but very usable for straightforward diagrams.

Awesome, I'll check out that out as well. Beta Creator is fine for adding route directions over photos, but I can't make birds eye view lay outs of the boulders, or maps of approach trails and etc. If I can do that, then I can make it work. Also, not too sure how to put it all together into a PFD so it can be printed out, but, I can figure out a long winded way to do it if i have to.

The "beta" programs are oriented towards producing route lines, especially overlayed on photographs. For "bird's eye views" you'll have to use a drawing program. A very powerful free open-source one is Inkscape, which works well on Windows (Macs is another matter.)